Jakob Ingebrigtsen recently appeared in court to testify against his father, Gjert, revealing disturbing details of physical and mental abuse he endured as a child. Just days after clinching victories in the world 1500 meters and 3,000 meters events in China, Jakob took the stand in Sandnes, Norway to share his account of the alleged abuse by his father, who also served as his coach.
Accused of mistreating Jakob and his younger sister, Ingrid, Gjert denies the charges. Jakob described his upbringing as a period marked by fear, control, and manipulation, stating that he felt devoid of autonomy as a teenager. He recounted specific incidents of violence, including being struck in the head multiple times by his father when he was around eight years old.
In a heartbreaking testimony, Jakob recalled instances of being physically assaulted, such as being hit when arriving late to an athletics meeting and kicked in the stomach after falling off his scooter. His older brothers, Henrik and Filip, who were also trained by their father, released a joint statement accusing Gjert of being aggressive and controlling.
During his testimony, Jakob revealed the emotional turmoil he experienced, including his father’s attempts to interfere in his relationship with Elisabeth Asserson, now his wife. He described how his father referred to them as “terrorists” and expressed concerns about losing control as Jakob grew older.
Facing potential consequences for his actions, Gjert could be sentenced to up to six years in prison if found guilty. Jakob’s testimony shed light on the challenges he faced growing up under a cloud of fear and uncertainty, highlighting the profound impact of childhood trauma on his life.
“He does not see himself reflected in descriptions of violence, but rather in depictions of his assertiveness and competitive nature. He plans to elaborate on this further on Monday.
The upbringing was far from ordinary. Another defense attorney, Heidi Reisvang, noted the family’s unique dynamics with a father as coach and successful sons. Mette Yvonne Larsen, representing Jakob and his sister, emphasized the focus should be on Jakob as a person, not just a sports star, and the impact of his father’s influence.
Over 30 witnesses, including Gjert’s children, Jakob’s mother, fellow runners, and officials from the Norwegian Athletics Federation, have been called to testify in the trial. Among them is a creator of the TV series Team Ingebrigtsen, which chronicled Jakob’s journey from prodigy to Olympic champion.
The charges could result in a maximum six-year prison sentence, and the trial is expected to run until May 16. Gjert, who maintains his innocence, is set to testify on Monday.”
